esskay77

I couldn't tell you when was the last time I saw the surgeon. I think it was the day of surgery, which was in January. I do see the nurse and nutritionist each time I go now. They have set the expectation that they are who I will see when I go in for my checkups, which has been true to date. S

Unfortunately, I have heard that that is a common reaction. Pay no attention. And, no, nobody has big bones. Our bones are all about the same. As long as you and your doctor are monitoring your health, that is all you need to worry about. Congratulations on doing so well! and keep up the good work.

I thought I was the only one who thought that I'd be the first and only person to not lose weight on this!! lol. But, I believe it is normal so just keep following the plan. That's what I"m trying to do. When you are allowed, make sure you exercise, too. THat will help with the stalls. Best of luck (to all of us!!) S

I was also going to suggest the Isopure drinks with 40 g of Protein. I really like them. Grape flavor is good. They are a tad expensive but no more so than a venti caramel macchiato from Starbucks! lol. Best of luck S

My hips hurt if I sit in one place for too long. Just have to get up and walk around as much as you can. I get sore hips when I travel, especially. As soon as the doctor says it is ok, you should start walking as much as you can. That really helps.

It is normal, unfortunately. I'm on my second stall. Ugh. Keep following the plan and have faith!

I had surgery on January 16, 2014, just around the same time as you. I have only lost 40 pounds and am completely stalled, too. I know that this can be part of the process but it is very discouraging. One thing that I have been told is to get to the gym. I'm trying and made it there last weekend but during the week is really tough for me. Anyway, I feel like I'm following the plan, I keep a journal, and still I'm stalled. I had stalled at 30 pounds, too. I was told to up my protein and stop weighing myself. lol. That did work that time. But, I feel your pain and hope that someone has some good suggestions!! I really hope that I'm not that one person who won't lose the weight!!!

I have also found a brand called Isopure that makes 100% whey protein isolate drink that is kind of like flavored water or juice. It comes in a variety of flavors and has 40 grams of protein in 20 fluid oz. They are a little expensive but it's a great way to get your protein without the awful mix flavor. Of course, check with your nut first.

Congratulations! Yes, you will be a bit sore. I found that the pain pills were what made me nauseous. Once I stopped taking those, my nausea went away. I would rather have pain than nausea so I stopped within a few days of coming home from the hospital. But your mileage may vary. Sugar free jello, sugar free popsicles really help!!!

Try different brands and flavors of the protein drink powder. But what also helped, after I made sure I had enough protein in my day was Sugar Free Popsicles!!! And no sugar added applesauce and creamy tomato soup. Frankly not much else tastes very good and I'm just fine with that!!

I'm kind of the same way. It's a real challenge to eat a meal. I was very comfortable with the cottage cheese and yogurt but this real food doesn't appeal to me as much. I'm still trying.

I also have a hard time understanding "carbs" "proteins" "grams" etc. I need specifics. I'm also very visual so grams and ounces can be tough for me. I especially have a hard time with carbs in general--either I eat way too many (pre-op) or I can't figure out how to get any carbs in. I need something like Richard Simmon's Deal a Meal! I am now on regular food and am having a hard time trying to figure out what to eat without going back to my old habits. I was much happier with the easier plan of Stage 3 and 4!! lol.

I'm about 6 weeks postop and on the final food plan. I get to have "real food"! lol However, I was wondering about spicy food--does anyone eat spicy food? Such as Indian food or Mexican or some hot sauce or chili. I've got a hankerin for chicken tikka masala! But, only if it's ok.

Thanks everyone! You all are the best!

I was wondering the same thing! My doc says no but I would love to hear about people's actual experience!!! Good question and hope you don't get sick

I finally experienced dumping syndrome--at least I assume what that was. I feel like I got kicked in the stomach. If it wasn't dumping syndrome, then it was a gall bladder attack. I went to bed and after about an hour I woke up with wild shaking and being so cold. I couldn't stop shaking. Got up and found a fuzzy throw to wrap myself around and got under the covers again and shook for a while and finally fell asleep but woke up a lot in pain and tossed and turned I have absolutely no energy today--should have stayed home but it's the first time I didn't bring my laptop home with me where I could have worked from home. Which do you think it is? Dumping syndrome or gall bladder? (no, my dr didn't remove the gall bladder). Did you ever experience this? What are the things that cause it? How do I recover from it? Thanks!

I'm only a month and a half post op but what that person says is already true for me. THough I would say the first week and a half after surgery all I thought about was food. I could envision myself biting into delicious food and could almost taste it. Luckily I knew I couldn't have those foods. And then those cravings and thoughts disappeared. I think that what you will find, is that even when you eat a little bit and get full, you will have that satisfied feeling that you used to get with larger amounts of food. Of course, having said that, it's also best to see a therapist that has experience with weight loss surgery people and maybe even join overeaters anonymous. Those 2 things could really help out a lot. You are doing the right thing having the surgery but you definitely need to follow the plan--eat small bites, take a long time to eat, drink Water 30 minutes before your meal and no water or beverages with your meal, and then 30 minutes after your meal have more water. I think these are things that should be really useful. It's hard to practice but important. Best of luck

For me, setting expectations really help and I have to say that the docs don't set the expectation that we have plateaus at various stages. I'm also at a plateau and called the nut and she just keeps saying you're doing everything right, just keep it up. Not very helpful, though probably true. But once I found this list, I found out that it is completely normal and expected to plateau at this stage and later at other stages. Just like someone else above stated--your body is going into starvation mode and is trying to hang onto everything. Is there any particular reason you aren't telling any friends/family about your surgery? Not judging, just asking. I was wondering if that would take the pressure off you if they knew. THat way it wouldn't seem odd if you went out to dinner but didn't eat much. Most places have soup or mashed potatoes or edamame (not that that is so wonderful but it's doable). I, myself, haven't told everyone about my surgery but I have told some of them. I don't go into a lot of detail with all of them so they don't always understand. I do have to look online at the menu ahead of time to see if there is anything I can eat. My plan has been that if there isn't, I'll still go and just enjoy their company and not eat. Or maybe have an herbal tea. Luckily it hasn't come to that yet. I think that even though you feel depressed and are crying, you need to just laugh at it because it is NORMAL! lol. Again, if you knew you would go through this stage, you could have dealt with it much better. Again, setting expectations. This list has been great and glad you reached out. We are all here to support each other and all have a shared experience. Take care

Just an update--I went to the ER yesterday and was there for over 7 hours. They ran an ultrasound and an MRI and everything was normal. So, they eventually just sent me home and told me to go back to Clear liquids for a few days to see how that goes. However, there was another post on this site about somebody having a similar pain (but not the freezing shaking) and apparently the pain is normal at this stage and lasts a few weeks. No explanation for the freezing shaking. Funny thing though. The docs in the ER kept writing down fever and everyone kept asking me about the "fever". Finally I asked them what their definition of fever was and my concern that they are documenting something different than what I had since I was ice cold and shaking, not feverish. They said that sometimes chills are followed by fever. But I don't think I had a fever and they never once wrote down chills. Very strange And, apparently I was the talk of the ER because one of my actual surgeons came down to check me out and stayed for quite a while and I guess the surgeons NEVER do that! lol THe nurses were amazed and impressed and they were all talking about it. lol Anyway, I'm home, still in some pain but not as bad as yesterday. Thanks all!

I had wicked cravings at first and thought that this was going to make me fail. However, the cravings went away and I haven't had them since. I mean, I could picture myself eating some of these foods. Just be patient and the severity of the cravings will go away as you move through the food plans.

I also have that! WIth extra symptoms that made me go to the ER yesterday. After 7 hours and many tests, they didn't find anything wrong with me. My extra symptoms were being freezing cold in bed which would wake me up because I was shaking so bad from the cold and stomach pains. I couldn't identify where the pains were coming from and the next day it felt like I had been kicked in the stomach. But, they ran an MRI and an ultrasound and they didn't find anything wrong. Nobody had mentioned that it could be normal. I love this website and everyone on it! THanks.

Thanks. I have a call in to the nurse/doctor but haven't heard back from them yet. Everything I read about dumping syndrome talks more about sweating and nausea. I hope it's nothing but I don't think it is. This is actually the second time since the surgery, though the first time wasn't as bad and didn't last as long--but it was the really freezing and shivering (uncontrollable shivering). So far, in my online search, it sounds like appendix. However, I've learned long ago to not trust the onlne advice. No, not passing any black stuff at all. Hope the doc calls back soon, thanks

I'm going through this right now, too!! It's frustrating. I'm guessing it is a waiting game--that we are eating such few calories our bodies are trying to hang onto everything. But that may be just making that up. I called the nutritionist a couple of times and she keeps saying to stop weighing myself and to keep doing what i"m doing. I go in for my appointment next week and will find out more then. I also think it is too early for a plateau! And I haven't cheated, I've followed the plan, everything and still no movement. If you figure it out, or if anyone does, please post.

Oh, I forgot--I jazz up my cottage cheese and yogurt by mixing in sugar free jello. Gives it a whole new flavor and tastes like dessert!